Health & Wellness In BC and Beyond!

Food

Cultivate a diet that sustains and nourishes your body, lifestyle and yoga practice. This workshop and discussion will address the highly debatable and controversial subjects of our diet and the nature of food. As our physiology changes because of our yoga practice, so to does our awareness of how foods impact our wellbeing and digestion – we begin to feel the effects of the foods we eat. Just like any yoga practice should be developed to meet your individual circumstances, so too should your food choices reflect and nourish your own personal needs.

Topics covered include: the change in food in the last 100 years; eating mindfully; physical and mental experience; ahimsa (non-harming); food preparation; and the use of spices to enhance digestion.

You will leave this workshop with a better understanding of which food choices will create good digestion, encourage lightness and clarity, and achieve freedom and happiness in the mind and stomach. Learn how to make beneficial choices for yourself and your family while causing the least possible harm to yourself, other beings, and the planet.

Expect to practice mindful eating with some yummy Ayurvedic treats prepared by Sean.

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RYT and Thai Massage Practitioner, Sean O’Leary brings an inordinate passion and joy to his teaching – and to his food. An unbelievable self-taught cook, he is knowledgeable in using food preparation and spices to make food delicious, nourishing and full of love. Join him for the workshop, attend one of his yoga classes, or schedule yourself a thai massage on Fridays from 4-9 at Kushala Yoga (first-time massage only $50!)

You may have seen the television commercials or floor-to-ceiling advertisements in SkyTrain stations. The company is basically claiming to be 100 per cent honest, transparent and willing to publicly answer any question posed by the public.

Some examples of answers: McDonald’s food has no MSG, the company uses 100% Canadian Beef, their food does in fact rot, additives used in their food are deemed safe by the World Health Organization, etc.

McDonald’s Canada has a new campaign called “Your Questions,” offering to answer any questions from the public about their food.

So if McDonald’s food is indeed so virtuous, is there still a reason the health-conscious should not eat there?

“It’s great they are making an effort with this campaign,” Eagles says, but she points out that most of the questions actually haven’t been answered. The website seems to answer the same kinds of questions, like “What is the beef made from?” several times, but many other questions are unanswered.

“ I have a hard time trusting what they say, as it took a significant amount of public outcry for them to make these small changes,” Eagles says. “They are a company that tries to ‘get away’ with things and only makes changes when they are caught, so why would I trust them now?”

So why would one still consider not eating at the massive fast-food chain? Eagles explains:

The actual food quality. Even if the quality of the food increases, it’s still up to the consumer to make informed choices for their own health. For instance, even if McDonald’s had a truly healthy burger, if the consumer ate one per day, the quantity of red meat in their diet could be detrimental.

energy/mood fluctuations throughout the day. As a person’s blood sugar escalates and then crashes, there is the potential for a poor mood, less exercise, and decreased productivity.

White buns have very few nutrients, so they mostly turn to sucrose. “The whole point of eating is to get quality protein, fat, carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals,” Eagles explains. “With processed food, the vitamins and minerals are significantly diminished, and the quality of those macronutrients is very low.” Plus the buns are simply higher in carbohydrate than required by the body.

Fats: “I don’t see any high-quality fats, which should make up 30 per cent of calories consumed,” Eagles says. “Good fats come from foods like avocado, nuts, seeds, cold water fish, and olive oil.”

Vegetables. “It’s great they have salad now, but it needs to contain rich greens,” Eagles says.

“Ultimately, it’s the consumer’s choice to not eat at a poor-quality food place like McD’s,” Eagles concludes. “No matter how much they try to clean up, they still aren’t serving primarily vegetables from gardens full of vitamins and minerals, which is what people really need.”

Che Baba’s yoga studio opened where Kingsway and Fraser connect in November, its cantina, which is linked by a corridor, at the end of December. It’s meant to be a place for locals to socialize and indulge in a healthy way.

Che Baba’s studio hums with an early 1970s vibe complete with heated parquet floors, textured walls and cedar accents. The cozy 28-seat cantina features a stone bar built around an open kitchen.

Gagnon said the two businesses will support each other so there’ll be no pressure for the intimate yoga studio to expand or increase its fees. It offers classes for all levels with prices ranging from $10 to $15 per session […] via Vancouver Courier

I met Todd Caldecott in the summer. Practitioner of Ayurveda, author and influential speaker, his talks changed how I think about food, how I cook, and how I eat. Implementing just a few of his many tips for a more sustainable, happy and healthful life, I feel better and have more energy. Come for this unique opportunity to hear Todd speak for an incredibly low price! This event is not to be missed.

Come join Todd Caldecott author of the new book Food As Medicine: The Theory and Practice of Food, on an exploration of food, what it is and how it impacts your health. Using the framework of Ayurveda, learn how to develop a healthy diet for your unique needs, how to eat strategically for the different seasons, and what herbs and foods can be incorporated into your diet to treat common health issues. In this workshop you will learn about the basic elements of food preparation, cookware, detoxification, and therapeutic diets

With the holiday season fast approaching. It is a time for us to reflect and be grateful for all that we have. Not only are we lucky enough to be able to practice yoga. We are fortunate enough to have access to an abundance of food. This is not the case for billions of people around the world. On November 30th, join me for a free one-day virtual event empowering you with practical tools and inspiration to make a difference and create a world where all are fed. Please register at foodforallsummit.com.

I just finished reading this book. It is a must read for anyone interested in nutrition. It gives some very compelling, scientifically proven evidence as to the benefits of eating a plant based diet. The book speaks for itself. http://www.thechinastudy.com

**UPDATE** This contest is now closed. Thanks to everyone for entering, and congratulations to Adrienne Summers for winning a beautiful Libre Tea Glass!

Libre, from Gibsons, BC, is an eco-friendly company committed to sustainable people and planet practices. They are the creators the portable ‘on-the-go’ loose leaf tea glass for all to enjoy and relax with – anywhere, anytime.

“Libre (lee-brah). The state of being free. Letting go, bringing ones mind and body to a place of rest and free from restraint. Tea is symbolic of an ancient ritual celebrating the secular as sacred. It is a space to take a breath, reconnect with oneself and the world. It is a time to stop to enjoy life, people and the planet and remembering the joys that life has to offer.”

The Libre Loose Leaf Tea Glasscollection comes in three sizes: the 9oz Original, 14 oz Large and 10 oz Mug. Each beverage holder is a thermal bottle with a health-conscious glass interior for fresh tasting beverages and a tough polycarbonate exterior for portable durability. Its easy to clean stainless steel removable filter is surrounded by twist off BPA-free lid and drinking lip.

This handy to-go bottle can be used two ways to brew and travel with loose leaf tea: Tea in the tea glass for longer-brewing herbal teas or tea on top of the twist off filter for black and shorter-brewing time teas. Here is a quick video on using the Libre Loose Leaf Tea Glass that shows how simple and easy it is to achieve a great cup of tea:

Libre is giving a chance for one lucky Vancouver Yoga Review reader to win a large (14 oz) Loose Leaf Tea Glass! You’ll find the following giveaway information below…

FYI: Liking this specific post on Facebook and sharing the link on your Facebook and Twitter accounts will add your name three extra times into the draw. Contest ends October 31st at 11:59pm. Good luck!

We attended a media event with EatingInVancouver last night at the lovely home of Lesley Stowe. You’re probably all familiar with her über popular Raincoast Crisps, but she has just launched a new product – Raincoast Cookies!

Yes, just as healthy and tasty as her crisps, I have to say, these cookies are delicious! Why are they fit for Vancouver yogis? Well, these nutritious products were born, raised, and made in Vancouver – the city where Lesley still calls home. “More than a cookie”, they are the perfect post-yoga class refuel. Packed with all natural ingredients like flax, chia seeds, and chicory root, these filling cookies are made without artificial ingredients or preservatives. Offered in three flavours: Dark Chocolate, Tart Cherry & Pecan (my favourite), Apricot, Ginger & Slivered Almond, and Dried Cranberry & Toasted Hazelnut, they no not contain eggs, or dairy products, so they’re ideal for all the awesome vegan yogis out there. We’ll have a full review up at EatingInVancouver, but in the mean time visit the website lesleystowe.com for further information.

It’s that time of year again…hearty comfort food time! Here’s an excellent recipe for a “yoga stew” – a Moroccan-inspired vegetarian dish that includes big chunks of butternut squash and red potatoes; it’s packed with nutrition and will keep you full and satisfied. Tips: Substitute butter for oil and omit the plain yogurt to make this meal vegan. Serve over brown rice or quinoa (in lieu of white rice) for additional protein. Enjoy!

I am passionate about food. It brings people together and fuels our body. My Bikram yoga practice made me very aware of the food I was putting into my body and my bodies reaction to it. I felt so clean from all the sweating that I no longer wanted to put junk food into my body.

In Vancouver we are so lucky to have access to a variety of amazing food. Currently, we have a bounty of local produce. Just go check out one of the many farms in Richmond or your closest farmers market at http://www.eatlocal.org.

Right now is the perfect time to take advantage of the 100 mile challenge. Try to eat only foods produced, grown or sold within 100 miles of where you live. This way we eat healthier and reduce our carbon footprint. To learn more, read the book 100 Mile Diet by Alisa Smith and J.B. MacKinnon.

On hot summer days, post yoga session, the last thing you want to consume is a sugary beverage. Even sports drinks like Gatorade, supposedly more thirst-quenching than water, leave you feeling like you got chemicals coming out of your pores. What you need is something über refreshing, not too flavourful or sweet, healthy, and quick to make: cucumber water!

What are the benefits?

Cucumbers contain vitamin C and caffeic acid, two antioxidant nutrients that can help protect the skin from sun damage. Vitamin C boosts collagen and elastin, which helps keep skin looking vibrant while caffeic acid protects skin cells from UV radiation. Cucumbers also have natural anti-inflammatory properties and help to prevent water retention. Cukes also contain silica, an essential component of healthy connective tissue.

For a simple recipe, just combine sliced cucumber to a pitcher of water, add ice, and enjoy! Alternatively, for an augmented version, you’ll need the following ingredients:

Food makes us happy but maybe not in the way we think. You might think of happy food as something indulgent, fluffy, sugary, creamy, highly caffeinated but actually our favourite treats can sometimes lower our mood. If you want to maintain good levels of serotonin, the good mood hormone, you might want to keep away from the instant feel-good fixes. It doesn’t sound like much fun but the long-term rewards are worth a bit of extra moderation.

I’m leading a personal crusade against low-fat dairy products. To me, the whole purpose of eating milk products is defeated by skimming its fat, as it is where most of the goodness resides. One of my favourite good mood foods is avocado and I eat at least 2 a week.

You can also find serotonin in chamomile tea, so you might trade one of your afternoon caffeine drinks with a cup of chamomile.

The wonderful news is that dark chocolate is also great for your brain, so you can keep a bar of your favourite brand handy without feeling guilty!